Active Mindfulness: 3 Reasons Why It’s Good for Addiction Recovery

Many leading addiction recovery specialists recommend the practice of mindfulness for individuals actively pursuing a life of sobriety. And, for good reason. Research has shown that this simple act can help those with substance abuse issues become more aware of their addiction triggers, improve impulse control and help regulate moods.

So, what exactly is “mindfulness”? Mindfulness is all about embracing your thoughts and emotions instead of trying to escape from uncomfortable feelings or situations. For those on a journey to addiction recovery, addicts are encouraged to simply sit with their feelings without judgment.

If you’ve battled substance abuse issues for years, it may seem difficult at first to practice mindfulness throughout your day. But with practice, you’ll find that it becomes easier as you become more comfortable with yourself and your sobriety. And, that doesn’t mean taking a personal inventory of each and every thought throughout the day. It’s just about making mindfulness more of a priority in your life.

If you need a little extra encouragement to try practicing mindfulness as part of a holistic approach to addiction treatment, here are just a few of the many ways mindfulness can help you overcome your addiction.

How Mindfulness Can Help You Heal from Addiction1. It can help you identify your addiction triggers. An important part of relapse prevention is all about understanding your personal triggers for using and abusing drugs and alcohol. By increasing your self-awareness, you can learn to recognize the emotions that often fuel your addiction cravings.

2. Mindfulness can help you learn to “press pause” on your behavior. Many individuals with addiction issues also have problems with impulse control. By practicing active mindfulness throughout the day, you’ll become more aware of your thought patterns and emotions while slowing down enough to make more strategic decisions.

3. Becoming more self-aware can help you regulate your moods. Practicing active mindfulness can help you prevent relapse by preventing stress and anxiety from escalating to the point where they become dangerous triggers. If you do start to feel anxiety or panic, you can learn to employ healthy strategies for diffusing those uncomfortable feelings.

Find Lasting Sobriety at Infinity Malibu
Nestled between the stunning Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Coast, Infinity Malibu offers the ideal location to heal and thrive in addiction recovery. Utilizing a non-denominational 12 Step program and a variety of holistic therapies, we can help you start to build a more vibrant and fulfilling life of sobriety. (888) 266-9048 to learn more.